August 10, 2005

LokSound In Stock

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Review

A German company ESU has released a new aftermarket DCC sound decoder line called the LokSound. The HO/N decoder is rated for a 1.1 A continuous load, a 32kHz pulse frequency insures super silent operation for the smooth Back-EMF motor drive. Four 250 mA functions with a max of 500 mA continuous load for all combined outputs are also offered. Four 8 bit sound channels provide an array of sounds at good fidelity. The LokSound for HO is small: 1.22” long, 0.61” wide, 0.26” tall (35mm x 15.5mm x 6.5mm). The HO/N LokSound is supplied with a 23 mm (7/8") speaker and enclosure.

The sound quality of the LokSound is very good with an appropriate speaker and enclosure (see Trix Mikado). The overall volume output is on par with Soundtraxx units. The downside is that getting the best speaker option is going to be a challenge since the LokSound is designed to use 100 ohm speakers, which only ESU has in certain sizes. This does, however, eliminate the need for any capacitors to be wired in series with the speaker, saving space.

LokSound comes in a wide variety of diesel locomotive sounds listed by prime mover and air horn type (ESU has published a listing of the locomotives that are represented by each sound). Although they only have one steam sound at the moment, the UP Big Boy, more are expected in several weeks.

Another nice feature is the ability to download whatever sound you want from the ESU sound library into the LokSound decoder, provided you have their LokProgrammer, PC software and serial interface unit. You can even record your own sounds to use with the decoder such as custom station announcements. The programming software makes setting up lighting effects, function mapping, speed tables, and programming anything else easier.

ESU is also furnishing sound decoders to Marklin-Trix for their Big Boy, Mikado and PA offerings. We liked the combination used in the Mikado and assume that they will be released soon.